Safety tips for fire pits and outdoor heaters

If you've invested time and energy into sprucing up your outdoor space, you might be looking for ways to extend your enjoyment of it. But as the weather gets colder, it's likely that you'll have to turn to space heaters, fire pits, chimeneas and other outdoor heaters to make sitting outside comfortable.

These products can be safe, as long as you follow the rules. That includes keeping your patio heater or fire pit away from buildings, bushes, trees and other objects they could set on fire, and ensuring that kids and pets keep their distance. Try these safety tips:

Fire pits

Pick the perfect spot. A fire pit can throw sparks and flames, which could put everything surrounding it at risk. Put brick, metal or stone beneath it, set up chairs at least 3 feet from the pit, and keep at least 10 feet between your pit and houses. If your fire pit comes with a screen, use it to give you an extra layer of safety.

Watch the weather forecast. Strong gusts could send sparks flying, so skip the pit when it's windy. If you live in a part of the country that's prone to wildfires, avoid using a fire pit when the conditions are ripe for starting a wildfire.

Choose the right fuel. Propane or natural gas fire pits are easiest to turn on and off and result in fewer sparks. If you're burning wood, avoid using pine, cedar or other soft woods that cause sparks, or leftover lumber, which may have been treated with harmful chemicals.

Skip the fire enhancers. Using lighter fluid or gasoline may make the fire harder to control. Instead, look up safe ways to start your fire using kindling like paper.

Keep a hose handy. Any time you have an open flame, you'll want to make it easy to put it out fast. Make sure your garden hose, fire extinguisher, fire blanket or even a bucket of water is right beside you.

Watch out for loose clothing. If you're tending the fire, keep your hair tied back and wear tightfitting clothing to ensure that a loose sleeve or lock of hair doesn't catch fire.

Don't leave the fire unattended. Never let the fire go without someone watching it — even if it seems to be dying out. Pour water or shovel dirt over the last embers, and turn over logs to make sure that no fire remains.

Patio heaters

Check out the safety features. Choose heating products that have been tested and approved by UL and CSA, and look for ones that feature tip-over switches and automatic shut-offs to help reduce the risk of a fire.

Pick a heater that's outdoor rated. That means the heater's components are built to withstand temperature changes and rain.

Find a stable spot. It's best to place a patio heater on level ground — ideally a patio or deck to avoid the risk of it falling over.

Consider your fuel source. Most patio heaters run on propane gas or electricity. Propane ones tend to provide stronger heat but are more expensive to run and require refilling propane tanks. Electrical ones are easier to run but may not provide the power you need.

Don't take them indoors. Using a propane heater inside could put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so keep it outside.

Alternative outdoor heating options

Looking for an alternative to a fire pit, chimenea or patio heater? Options to consider include heated seats, cushions and blankets, and hand warmers.